A 9mm and a .45 or 2 .45's? Your Opinion Please

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ajl2121

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Hey all...I'm debating whether to purchase two .45 caliber pistols or one .45 and one 9mm. Either way, one .45 will be a full size and the other pistol (9mm or .45) will be compact/subcompact. My girlfriend wants me to get a 9mm so that she can use it at the range. These are the considerations that I have thought of so far. Please note that "worst case scenarios" are unlikely to happen, but the reason why we support the second amendment is in cases of unusual circumstances.
1. Having both calibers will allow me to have a wider selection of ammo. In cases of emergencies, riots, disasters, etc. it could be beneficial to be able to fire 2 popular calibers if you run out of your own ammo. However, having 1 caliber in both the pistols will allow me to use all the .45 ACP ammo in either pistol I choose.
2. Having a smaller 9mm could also be good for situations when a friend who is inexpreienced with guns must defend themselves and I let them use mine (again this would be in those highly unlikely, but plausible scenarios).
3. .45's have more stopping power...

Sorry for the long post, but your opinions would be greatly appreciated!
 
you can load light loads in the .45 that kick about the same as a 9 mm....that way you get two .45's and ur gf can still shoot. If you want a little variety get a full size .45 and a compact 9 ;)
 
There are benefits to having two pistols in the same caliber.

However, I think a 9mm is needed. Cheap to shoot. Low recoil for her. Quick target acquisition for you.

For me....I'm getting....two 9mm's. :)

Edited to add: If you have a progressive reloader....then just go with the .45's.
EDITED AGAIN TO ADD: YES, IF YOU HAVE A RELOADER IT WILL BE LESS $$. PLUS YOU CAN LOAD DOWN FOR YOUR GIRLFRIEND. BESIDES, A FULL SIZE 1911 IN .45 IS VERY MANAGEABLE. THE COMPACT MAY GIVE HER TROUBLE. MY WIFE LIKES TO SHOOT MY .22's ...SHE STICKS TO THEM.
 
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Are you saying to get 2 .45's if I have a reloader to save money on the ammo?
 
Please note that "worst case scenarios" are unlikely to happen, but the reason why we support the second amendment is in cases of unusual circumstances.
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with that at all. Don't worry about anyone calling you a "Mall Ninja" or a "keyboard warrior" just because you're interested in SHTF weapons. The S has already HTF many times in this nation for many people (e.g., Waco, Katrina, LA Riots), and smart people will always be prepared rather than scoff at others who prepare.

As an aside, if you don't already have a good semi-auto rifle, I strongly recommend you get one of those first. Rifles are far more important to have than pistols, IMO.

Okay, back to your question. It's tough to make a "mathematically certain" decision about which is better, since you can never know what to expect regarding ammo availability and all other factors if the SHTF. But regarding ammo supply alone, I'd say that the uncertainty favors having guns in two different calibers. If your ammo supply dries up, the probability of acquiring at least one of two calibers is always greater than the probability of finding the one specific caliber that you need. You might not be able to feed both guns, but at least you'll have a gun.

Has your girlfriend ever fired a .45? If she can't handle one or shoot rapidly and accurately, then that's another reason to get a 9mm.
 
Well, I'm married. So, if my wife would be more likely to shoot the 9mm, I'd get both a .45 and a 9mm. But, are you certain she doesn't want to shoot the .45? Has she tried both?
 
230 grains hits harder than 115, its simple physics. Whats to argue about?
Click to expand...

Depends on the speed of the 115. Energy = mass * velocity ^ 2. Simple physics.

If the 230 is moving at 800fps and the 115 is moving at 1132fps, then they have roughly the same energy.:neener: (Oh, no, now he did it!)

To the Original Poster:

A lightweight, subcompact 9mm will recoil about as much as a full sized 45acp pistol. Both are certainly manageable with practice, even for women (sorry pax!).

Get both, but I think that you will find yourself shooting the 9mm more often. It is cheaper. Just make sure that whatever you buy, they are the same style of gun (Springfield XD9 subcompact / XD45, Glock 26 9mm / Glock 21 45acp, CZ 75 PCR 9mm / CZ 97 45acp). The grip and safety system will feel similar and transitioning from one to the other will be easier.

Edited to add:
I have 2 45acp handguns and 1 9mm, with plans for 1 more 9mm.
Glock 21 45acp
1911 clone 45acp
Springfield XD9 9mm

I am considering Glock 26 9mm subcompact, or XD9 subcompact. I don't believe in magazine interchangeability (XD9 full size mag in XD9 subcompact, Glock 19 mag in Glock 26, etc). I have a friend with a G21 and a G30... the 21 mags don't work well in his 30.

Just de-fusing (some) of the partisanship over 9mm vs. 45acp.
 
Same thing happened to me. I got the 9mm. My wife actually comes shooting with me once in a while.
 
Ammunition cost: the 9mm will allow a much larger amount of shooting for the same relative cost.

pax
 
I would get one of both if you can afford it. I would look at the cz line for 9mm. And maybe the XD or some 1911 to match for the 45. I think it wise to have a 9 and 45 in your collection. I have a bad itch to get a 1911... I have a ruger in 45.

9mm is cheaper to shoot and just as effective with the several popular loads for sd. I like gold dot myself...but hornaday tap, cor bon, and may others provide great balistics and stoping power.

Good luck and good shooting.
 
If the girlfriend is serious about you and about shooting, get the 9mm. If not, get whatever you're going to use. I personally like to have a 9mm (and a .22lr) because I don't reload and ammo is cheap.

I'm not sure, but I think .22lr ammo might even be free now--or are the stores paying to take it off their hands now? :rolleyes:. OK, maybe not quite that cheap.
 
This is a no-brainer my friend :)

If your girlfriend is interested in shooting...well, my friend, you would be a fool to buy two .45 ACPs when you could have her tag along on your arm, shooting beside you, etc. You had a valid point re: crisis and ammunition, but priority should be your lady-friend.

Two my two cents. :rolleyes:

Doc2005
 
Get the .45 and 9mm combo.

Full size .45 =230gr ammo. If you get a smaller .45ACP, you will need to shoot 185gr or 200gr rounds out of it to get optimal performance in a short-barrelled .45 round, and this ammo can be very expensive. Because of this, you really won't gain any benefit of sharing the same caliber.

Shooting 230gr outta a small .45 can become uncomfortable really fast.

9mm is cheaper to shoot.
 
Wow...Many more considerations to weigh than I had thought previously...I am leaning towards getting a subcompact 9mm and a full size .45. The one's that I am really interested in at this point are the SA XD 9 subcompact and the HK45 when they are available...Would that be a disaster (or less than optimal) as a fellow member mentioned above? They suggested purchasing two different calibers, but from the same manufacturer in order to have a smooth transition between the two weapons...As for the recomendation of getting a semi-auto rifle, I agree. So far I only have a pump shotgun, but intend on getting 2 pistols and a rifle...Hopefully one day I'll have the finances to have an mini armory in my home. ;)
 
Oh yeah...My girlfriend is interested in police work and such, so I told her that many departments are switching to the .45 from the 9mm as told to me by an officer...She fired many 9s, but says she's "scared" of the .45...I keep telling her that it's not much different...Well at least for me.
 
I'm a .45ACP guy and would/do load .45 light enough that the recoil is less than factory 9mm. Of course, I load my 9mm lighter and can shoot them like a .22. :D I think the .45ACP suffers from a perception of increased recoil. A 9mm factory load can be a little snappy. As for grip size, I find a double stack 9mm to be darn near as bulky as staggered 45 and much thicker than my 1911's. That being said, I do own an XD45 and XD9, but you can never have too many .45's. ;)
 
Depends on the speed of the 115. Energy = mass * velocity ^ 2. Simple physics.

If the 230 is moving at 800fps and the 115 is moving at 1132fps, then they have roughly the same energy. (Oh, no, now he did it!)
Click to expand...
Yes, however in a collision momentum is conserved where as kinetic energy is not. A large portion of that is lost to heat. :neener:

.45s don't kick too bad though as long as you hold it, but a .45 and a 9mm compact sounds pretty good.
 
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